1970 U14 LUBER Project

[kyle]

I wasn't really looking for a project when I got a call from my Uncle that a Bronco we had been keeping an eye on was for sale. It was one of those come now or miss out deals. So 20 minutes later we had the trailer hooked up and we were headed out to pick it up.

We had seen the Bronco from the road before but not really looked it over close. After a closer look it turned out to be a factory 1/2 cab that was uncut. The owner told us "yeah it used to have the little pickup top but there was no room so we took it off." Of course the 1/2 cab top and bulkhead was long gone.

More pictures and updates to come.

 

[kyle]

First order of business was to strip the interior to see what we had body wise. Some normal issues with rust in the front floors and inner fender skirts.
Previous owner had installed a rear bumper that was the size of and weighed as much as a Union Pacific rail car.

Also a radio delete dash.

 

[bax]

sweet truck. What did you have to give for her? Don't say 1K because i will be pissed.

 

[EagertoLearn]

Great find, I wanted a half cab, but the one I got was too far gone.

 

[kyle]

Cut the floors out (new floors from Tom's), repaired the inner skirts, some work on the door post, sand blasted the tub, laid down some sealer and por15.

 

[kyle]

Bax sometimes you wonder how good of deal you got the farther you go.

Front sheet metal was pretty clean.

 

[bax]

Oh yeah been there. Front end looks good.

 

[kyle]

Some of the new sheetmetal. Also converted the 3 on the tree to a 3 speed on the floor (Hurst from Tom's). Camera got a little dirty from being in the shop.

 

[kyle]

We weren't really sure where this project was going to go or how far into it we were going to get. We did know 2 things though: it was going to be a 1/2cab and it was staying uncut. The project got set on it's course when we were trying to locate a 1/2 cab. We ended up getting a great deal on a 1/2 cab and bulkhead from the grandson of a local Bronco guy who had passed away. While we were there we worked a deal to buy another one of his projects. It was a 77 Bronco chasis with a 72 tub with front in damage.

The 1/2 cab was in good condition but needed some paint. Can't find the before picture but here is the after:

 

[kyle]

The tub from the project Bronco was sold to a guy in Southern Utah to live on as Rock Crawler (Brown tub sitting on the back of the truck).

The rest: Dana 44 with disc brakes, KbarS 2.5" coils, KbarS leaf springs, newer poly bushings, adjustable drag link, new tie rods' and power steering were given to the 1/2 cab.

The running gear was given a coat of Por15 and stainless braided brake lines were added (from Toms Bronco parts). I have always been a LUBER fan so I was glad that this project went this direction.

 

[mp]

I like where this is going...

Of course the million dollar question.....what wheels and tires?

 

[kyle]

We wanted to stay stock wheels and hubcaps, but had a hard time finding the right hubcap for the right price so we went with a modified Rambler hubcap. Ultimately probably BFG Mt's but for right now just an all terrain.

 

[sprdv1]

That's great Kyle!! Congrats man. Looks like you got a little helper too

 

[kyle]

Our plan was for just a clean driver with some upgrades so I think we are getting there. It's been about 2 months of weekend work.
The project has stalled over the last couple weeks since my Uncle decided he can't paint without a paint booth.

So this booth has been built over the last few weeks in a farm shop my grandfarther built in the early 50's. You would never know that it is there when the front door is pulled shut:

 

[grant_71]

What material/ Paneling is that you used for the inside of the paint booth?

 

[Tito]

Wow, nice paint booth!!!

Love the new project Kyle!

 

[kyle]

We had a local RV manufacture close / liquidate recently and the wall material is some of the fiberglass skin that they used for the outside of the trailers. It looks nice and works well.

 

[kyle]

The paint booth is done so the project continues. The paint for the most part is complete (Wimbledon white). Upholstery is done. Kind of wished we would have gone black now on the seats, but stayed with white.

A lot of work going on just, just no time for posting.

Better pictures to follow.

 

[Justafordguy]

Man that thing is going to be nice. Can't wait to see more.

 

[kyle]

Thanks for the compliment. We are aiming for a clean driver and I think we are getting pretty close. Hopefully done by the first of October.

We've already found a 1966 U14 (real early VIN) so this one may be moving out so that one can move in.